Finally on the air

[W7SOE]

After months of fiddling with more new gear that I possibly have time to go through, I finally made my first AM contact.

Up until now I have not been able to get my dipole (cut for 40m) to tune on 3870.  I finally got around to throwing a couple 10 ft extensions on it as per W1GFH's advice.  And voila, it tunes now.

So last night, although the band wasn't great, I called CQ and had a brief QSO with Bob, KA7WOC. 

Transmitter was the Viking II, receiving on the R-388.

Thanks to all on the net for their help

Rich

[Steve - WB3HUZ]

Congratulations. Your perseverance won out!

[KA7WOC]

Hi Rich,
Congratulations on the 1st and it wasn't too bad either.  I think you could crank the audio up just a little more.  As you said the band conditions were a bit off but they were getting better as you signed.  Have any photos of the hb rig?
I'll be listening for you.
Bob ka7woc

[W7SOE]

Thanks Bob!

Yes, the band conditions may have been improving but the "local QRM" went through the roof.  ;-)

I will work on that audio.  I am prepared to do several mods to the Viking II.  I also have a new mic element for the D-104.  It is a crystal element from Mouser.

See the new HB rig in this thread:

http://amfone.net/Amforum/index.php?topic=12292.0

73

Rich

[W1IA]

Congrats Rich!
Another AM station joins the fun.

Brent W1IA
Derry, NH